Bamia
Bamia is a Middle Eastern, Anatolian and Greek stew prepared using lamb, okra and tomatoes as primary ingredients.[1][2][3] Additional ingredients used include tomato sauce, onion, garlic, cilantro (coriander), vegetable oil, cardamom, salt and pepper.[1] The word "bamia" itself simply means "okra" and it is etymologically an Arabic word.[4]
Bamia stew | |
Alternative names | Bamieh, Bamya |
---|---|
Course | Meal |
Region or state | Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Turkey |
Main ingredients | lamb meat, okra, bay leaves, salt, pepper |
Vegetarian bamia is very popular during fasting seasons such as Easter in Greece and Cyprus.
Regional variations
In Turkey, bamia (natively bamya) is an Anatolian stew that has a sweet and sour flavor.[5] It is prepared using okra, lemon juice, olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper.[5] Turkish bamia is sometimes served as a palate cleanser between food courses at ceremonial feasts.[5]
In Egypt, sinew (tendons) of lamb are typically used, which can endure long cooking times.[6] Ta'aleya, an Egyptian garlic sauce, is used as an ingredient to add flavor to bamia.[lower-alpha 1][6]
In Iran, bāmieh is served as a khoresh along with rice and is a popular dish in the southern provinces.
In Israel, a kibbeh is sometimes included in the stew instead of the regular meat or fish bamia dishes; the dish is called "kubba bi bamia."
Terminology
In Arabic Arabic: بامية, bamyah or bamia bi-lahm (Arabic: البامية باللحم أو شوربة البامية okra with meat; Greek: μπάμια; Turkish: bamya.[8]
See also
Notes
- "...dressed with a fragrant taa'leya, an Egyptian mixture of spices fried with garlic."[7]
References
- Webb, L.S.; Roten, L.G. (2009). The Multicultural Cookbook for Students. EBL-Schweitzer. ABC-CLIO. pp. 286–287. ISBN 978-0-313-37559-0.
- Kopka, D. (2011). Passport Series: Middle East. Passport Series. Lorenz Educational Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-7877-8716-5.
- Claudia Roden, A New Book of Middle Eastern Food, p. 248
- "Bamya". Nişanyan Sözlük. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
- Basan, G.; Basan, J. (2007). Middle Eastern Kitchen. Hippocrene Books. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-7818-1190-3.
- Smith, A. (2013). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. OUP USA. p. 678. ISBN 978-0-19-973496-2. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- "New Statesman". Volume 113. Statesman and Nation Publishing Company. 1987. p. 36.
- Turkey. Michelin Travel Publications. 2000. p. 94.